Academy Report & Analysis: United 2 Southampton 4

United U18′s (4-4-2): Jacob; Hendrie, McCullough, Blackett, Giverin; Gorre (Wilson 53, Dalley 83), Rudge (Harrop 30), Weir, Barmby; van Velzen, Byrne. Subs not used: Coll, Ioannou.

Saints U18′s: Mowthorpe, Stephens, Young, Turnbull, O’Sullivan, Ward-Prowse, Chambers, Reed (Curtis 65), Moore, Rowe (Ariybi 70), Sinclair (McQueen 85)

• United goalscorers (2): Turnbull (og – 12), Barmby (78).
•  Southampton Goalscorers (4): Moore (37), Ward-Prowse (73), Stephens (76), Chambers (88).

 Match Summary

Another loss for this young United team and this time whilst there was some evidence of penetration in front of goal, at the back it was quite a horror show. The defence was exploited regularly by a very accomplished Saints outfit going forward (to be expected of a side which has produced the likes of Bale, Walcott & Chamberlain over the last few years).

First Half (1-1)

As to the interesting moments in the match, United started brightly enough and this was typified by a jinking, gliding run by the tall Van Velzen on the 8th minute, who beat a few players before moving it to his weaker foot and putting in a decent effort on goal.

There was an immediate riposte by the Saints however, as the shot-stopper extraordinaire Jacobs, kept the score level with an accomplished stop from the bright Calum Chambers; in what was a dangerous 3 v 1 situation, a sign of things to come later in the match. This sequence of non-stop action was brought to an end when United struck the first blow through a  Jordan Turnball own goal. A good run by Kenji Gorre, and a clever pass across the 6 yard area, reminiscent of Ashley Young v the Baggies caught the deflection of the young Saints defender and nestled in the back of the net.

United then failed to capitalise on the momentum with Giverin unleashing a shot cum cross across goal and Byrne who didn’t have the best of games, failing to react with the ‘toe’ needed to make it 2-0 and send the Red Devils out of sight. The failure to do that proved costly as later in the half and following several moments of quality from the Saints, with Sinclair in particular proving a handful,  Corby Moore equalised for the Saints after a neat exchange with Calum Chambers. Blackett was drawn out of position, and Moore got in ahead of the flat-footed McCulloch, to react to the cross with a first-time finish past Jacobs, sending both teams in at half-time 1-1.  

Second half (2-4)

The second half didn’t really explode into life by any means with relatively few significant efforts on goal. Rowe of Southampton wasted a good opportunity to counter attack, failing  to spot the 3 v 4 siutaion that had developed, instead choosing to linger on the ball and making matters worse with an overhit pass that went straight to Jacobs.

United then began to take control of proceedings, enjoying a comfortable spell in possession, knocking it round and probing for opportunities, with  Blackett and Van Velzen linking up to put the latter in space for a great left footed effort wide by a foot on 65th minute. However the inability to capitalise on this long spell on top proved costly as Southampton once again against the run of play, managed to score with Ward-Prowse and Sinclair reacting to the confusion in United’s area and a poor headed clearance, to produce some intricate play in and around the box to put Prowse through and finish from a tight angle with aplomb in the 73rd minute. A few minutes later, the eye-catching Stephens at right back, powered past four players in a mesmerising 70 yard run before powering it Carlos Albertoesque  into the opposite corner from just inside the box.

There was slight hope for United, when a Barmby effort aided by yet another deflection brought the score to 3-2, but just as the late goal against Pompey proved in vain, so it was to be against the Saints, with Calum Chambers topping off what was a solid display with a well-earned fourth goal, reacting well to his initial blocked header from a cross from the substitute Ariybi.

5 Things I Noticed

1. Shot-Stopper Jacobs – He is very nimble, a decent distributor but he does have a tendency to be caught in no-mans land for aerial confrontations. He’s a young keeper so that is to be expected but if he can get his aerial game to the same level as his general shot-stopping, he looks a good prospect.
2. Defensively Tyler Blackett – Reminds me alot of Seydou Keita in the way that he glides with the ball, he’s pretty strong in the air and possesses bite, so a very all-rounded talent, but whether he has the discipline to play at the back is questionable, as for McCulloch.. didn’t impress me, seemed cumbersome, but hopefully he has another gear in him
3. Attacking wise Barmby got forward very well,  smart on the ball and solid player all-round. Up front, Van Velzen  once again looked dangerous, if we can partner him with a similar class of player then he will score goals at this level regularly
4. Jack Stephens, the Saints right back looked very good but whilst he may find this level of football easy due to his superior physicality, whether he has the talent to look this good in senior football is another matter entirely.
5. Jake Sinclair – the brother of Scott, looked very lively, not afraid to compete in the air and he could seriously burn past players, footwork is of a good level too. Look forward to seeing him again, but there are question marks on his physique.

Written By

Raees Mahmood (follow me on Twitter)

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